bsmphilly.com Topics: u.s. coast guardhttp://www.bsmphilly.com/topics/us-coast-guard/?utm_medium=RSS2014-07-02T17:46:35+00:00Fire Department appoints new commissioner2014-07-02T17:46:35+00:00William Kennyhttp://www.bsmphilly.com/2014/jul/2/fire-department-appoints-new-commissioner/?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS<p>The Philadelphia Fire Department gained a new commissioner on June 14, one day following the retirement of the often-controversial Lloyd Ayers, who served 40 years as a firefighter, including the last decade as commissioner. Mayor Michael Nutter named Derrick Sawyer as Ayers&rsquo; successor last month.</p> <p>&ldquo;Derrick Sawyer is a 29-year ...Staying afloat2014-05-15T16:53:58+00:00William Kennyhttp://www.bsmphilly.com/2014/may/15/staying-afloat/?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS<p>The reasons for the enduring popularity of the Dad Vail Regatta should be self-evident to anyone who has ever ventured to the banks of the Schuylkill River on the second weekend of May. With sleek shells slicing through the current on the strength of synchronized oarsmen in their colorful singlets, ...The Watchmen2014-02-06T17:32:50+00:00John Loftushttp://www.bsmphilly.com/2014/feb/6/watchmen/?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS<p>There are Philadelphia police officers and civilian employees who are sitting in a room in South Philly who can track a smartphone stolen in Oxford Circle, watch what&rsquo;s going on at Arrott and Griscom streets in Frankford, search for a car believed to be involved in a murder and look ...NE water main break displaces residents2014-01-01T20:41:31+00:00Jack Firnenohttp://www.bsmphilly.com/2014/jan/1/ne-water-main-break-displaces-residents/?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS<p>As if it weren&rsquo;t hectic, and wet enough on the day before Christmas Eve.</p> <p>On Dec. 23, a 48-inch water main burst at 8:50 a.m. at Frankford and Torresdale avenues in Frankford. &nbsp;By the time the Philadelphia Water Department identified the exact location of the break and shut off water ...Opening day for Lardner&#039;s Point Park2012-05-23T18:28:00+00:00Tom Waringhttp://www.bsmphilly.com/2012/may/23/5274-opening-day-for-lardner-s-point-park.html/?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS<p><!--StartFragment--></p> <p>Northeast Philadelphia has a new point of pride as Lardner&rsquo;s Point Park opened last week along the Delaware River.</p> <p>The 4.5-acre park is located just south of the Tacony-Palmyra Bridge, between Robbins Avenue and Levick Street.</p> <p>The grounds where the park was built were once littered with trash, broken ...Trying to make sense of a tragedy2011-06-08T12:05:00+00:00William Kennyhttp://www.bsmphilly.com/2011/jun/8/3170-trying-to-make-sense-of-a-tragedy.html/?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS<p>Above all else, William Tyrek Wilkinson was a self-assured young man.</p> <p>Known simply as Tyrek to family and friends, the 17-year-old Mayfair resident exuded confidence and charisma wherever he went, even in the direst circumstances.</p> <p>That&rsquo;s why the manner in which he died, though tragically shocking, came really as no ...Kids Stuff: Boating safety helps save lives2011-05-18T12:09:00+00:00William Feldmanhttp://www.bsmphilly.com/2011/may/18/3056-kids-stuff-boating-safety-helps-save-lives.html/?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS<p><!--StartFragment--></p> <p>By William Feldman</p> <p>Welcome to Kids Stuff. Today&rsquo;s column includes information about National Safe Boating Week, which is celebrated in 2011 from May 21 to 27.</p> <p>With summer fast approaching, I thought this would be a great time to remind everyone about water safety.&nbsp; After all, Memorial Day is ...